Flying-machine.



W. W. CHRISTMAS.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 30, 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. W. CHRISTMAS. FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 30, 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

m 6 I mm mm m in m Ow \n \m mm Q W. W. CHRISTMAS. FLYING MACHINE}. APPLICATION TILED OCT. 30, 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

v vwew foz witmwaeo W. W. CHRISTMAS.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 00130, 1909.

Patented May 10, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

um/whoa W [ZfALaZQW/ZM provide accident v to provide a machine which diminishes the WILLIAM w. cnnrsrmas. or WASHI FORT'Y-NINE onn-nunnann'rns r BOTH or wasnmsron, ms'rarc'r as'ronia,- OREGON.

GTON, DISTRICT 0F FLYING-MACHINE.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM CHRIST- MAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia,

have invented new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flying machines of the aeroplane'type.

'The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine which will be self-balancing or maintain an automatic equilibrium Hindi! any and all normal conditions in 1g t.

A further object of the invention is to a machine which in the event of to its motor or propelling means, or reduction of its speed below the sustentation speed limit from any other cause, will preserve its center of gravity and descend easily to the ground. A. still further object of theinvention is resistance to flight and hence may be driven at a greater rate of speed than prior ma chines of the same size and. equipped with,

a motor of corresponding driving power.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arran ement of parts hereinafter fully descri ed and claimed, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, in w ich Figure 1 is a front elevation partially I broken away, of a flying machine embodying one form of my invention.- Fig. 2 is a central vertical fore and aftsection on line 2-2'of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of themachine. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of aft section on the central portion of the upper *eroplane. perspective view of one of the the mode of mounting the ad acent levelin plane. Fig s.,6, 7, 8 and 9 are fore andja sections on the lines 6+6, 7-7, 8-8, and 9--9 of- Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a front elevation illustrating a modification 1n the construction of the machine. Fig. 11 is a fore and line 11-41 of Fig. 10. Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent. .1 i "Application filed. October 80, 1909. Serial No. 525,497.

12 is a similar section on '2, providing a plane "type, which construction is preferred,-

of the machine, end

downwardly,

.' Patented May 10, 1910.

line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

In the preferred form of the invention herein disclosed, the machine is shown as comprising two superposed aeroplanes 1. and

' machine of the so-called bialthough features of the invention may be employed in a structure employing a single aero lane or more than 'two aeroplanes. Eac aeroplane extends lengthwise in a direction-transversel of themach-ine or to the line of flight an is composed of a suitable fabric stretched over and secured to a frame comprising a air of parallel longitudinal, bars 3, extending from side to side bars 4 connecting the terminal portions of said longitudinal bars, and "cross stripsv or battens arran edin parallel relation to the end bars an connecting and bracing the longitudinal bars to form a strong and rigid frame structure.

Preferably the two planes are correspond ly concavo-con'vexly esired extent between their front and rear edges with their concaved surfaces facing as usual, to promote the buoying action ofthe currents of air thereon, but this form of the planes is not absolutely essential. en the two planes are employed, as described; they are'connected by standards or uprightbars 6 spaced a art suitable intervals to theframe bars 3 and 4.

Braces 7 connect the adj acent front and rear and durabi 'ty ofv the machine, as may be found desirable or circumstances may require. p I I x The two aeroplanes mstead of being strai ht? and arallel throughout coLUiaBrA, ABSIG-NOB on cnann roman AND THOMAS w. sooner or cotnmnm, AND LESTER c. MoLnon,-.-on'

' referred concurved or dished to around the machine and rigidly unite at v their I lengt {:99 in'orl fnary constructions, are i I general of concavo-convex form lengthwise invention, each plane ma be considered as being centrally divided cm front to rear into counterpart plane sections, the sectionsortransverseportions 8 and 9 of the upper plane 1 incllning outwardly and downwardly at a desired angle from their inner or proximate ends, while the sections or transverse portions 9 and 10 of the lower plane 2 correspondingly incline outwardly and upwardly. While the planes are, as stated, in general of concavo-convex form ith their concaved surfaces facing each ther, it will be noted that they are devoid of a true longitudinal curvature, thesections or transverse portions of each plane extendmg on straight lines at a diahedral angle from the center to the lateral margins of each plane. The reason for this peculiar construction and relative arrangement of the aeroplanes is to secure, in connection with other features, counterbalancing actions of the currents of air to steady the machine in flight and to adapt it to automatically maintam its center '0 will fully appear-in the subjoined statement of the principle of operation of the machine.

The lower plane 2 has. a downwardly jogged or offset portion 2 connecting the proximate inner ends of its sections or wings 9 and 10, and which'extends vertically along the opposite sides of and horizontally beneath a boxlike car or body 11. This car or body extends fore and aft between and is secured to the longitudinal frame bars of said plane and has an elevated bottom 11, forming a support for the driving motor 12, which may be of any suitable type. In front of this motor, either on the bed or front longitudinal frame bar of the plane 2, the aviators seat (not shown) is preferably arranged, the parts being so disposed as to make .the center of grav ty of the machine as low as possible and to equalize and bal ance the supported weights as muchas posslble at this point when the aviator is seated. "In practice the machine may be driven'by one or more propellers, a pair of .vertically disposed rotary propellers 13..

being shown in the present instance. These propellers are mounted in rear of the frame structure, at opposite sides of 'the medial fore and aft line of the machine, on horizontal shafts 14 journaled in suitable bearmgs on alined front and rear pairs of the gravity or equilibrium, as

pellers in any other desired manner as may be found most serviceable under varying standards 6, andare driven in reverse directions by belts or chains 15 or other sultable conditions.v Brackets 16 may be secured to the bed or adjacent parts of the frame structure and carry ground wheels or rollers 17 to enable the machine to be conveniently transported from place to place along the surface of the groundor to serve as traction devices on which the machine may run in starting it in flight from the ground surface.

In the embodiment of my invention'disclosed in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, the lower plane 2' is preferably either flat or has a desired degree of outward and downward curvature between its front and rear edges so as to presentan angle of incidence and con- .fine orretard the currents of an nnpmgmg agalnst its under surface to secure the desired buoying effect. The extent of flotation surface presented by each plane is in-' creased by prolonging or projectingthe body portions of both planes 1 and 2 rearwardly in the form of longitudinal win s or extensions .1 and 2*, respectively, preferably constructedby continu'ations of the fabric and battens or'cross strips 5 composing the plane structures. These wings or extensions pr0 long the arc of curvature of the planes to confine or retardthe impinging 'currentsof 'air only tothe necessary extent. As, however, the air is liable under some atmospheric conditions to accumulate beneath the planes faster than it is shed by the plane surfaces, causing the production of eddying currents which tend to inhibit a buoying action and. offer an increased resistance to the so that. they may act under such conditions to free the air with greater rapidity. To this end, the fabric 'of'the wings is fastened only to the rear extensions of the strips or battens 5, which are somewhat flexible and left free or unconnected at their outer or rear ends,'whereby propulsion of the machine, I construct the wings or rear portions of the planes the rear portions or edges of the wings are adapted to flutter or vibrate or to bend upwardly, according to the volume and pressure of the confined air, allowing the latter to escape beneath said edges, which, on the escape of the portions of-air,return by their own resiliency to normal position. As a result, the retention of an excess volume or pressure of air beneath the planes will be prevented, greater safety against gusts acting too violentlyon the planes insured, and liability of an undue resistance to the propulsion of themachine obviated. In this respect and capability of operation the eamae wings simulate the air shedding ,action of the edges of the wings of a bird and perform the same functionsrunder like conditions. The wings of the upper plane are somewhat shorter than the sections of said plane to leave spaces in rear of the outer terminals of the plane sections for the accommodation of the leveling planes, hereinafter described, while the wings of the lower plane may accord in length and arrangement with the upper plane wings, or extend the full length of the lower plane sections, as desired.

The upper plane 1 is of materially different construction, otherwise than heretofore stated, from those heretofore in use. As shown, this plane is transversely divided at the center or has the proximate edges of its sections 8 and 9 spaced to provide a fore and aft air gap, vent or passage 18 extending the full distance from its front frame bar 3 to the rear edges of the wings 1. For convenience of description, each plane section may also be considered as divided into imaginary triangular front and rear portions 19 and 20 on planes indicated by the dotted lines 21 shown in Fig. 3 extending from the outer front corners of said sections to the inner rear corners of the wings 1. The triangular rear portions 20 and wings 2? of a the plane sections have the sim 1e cross-sectional curvature heretofore that the currents of air impinging against escribed, so

their under surfaces will be confined and retarded sufliciently for a buoying action thereon and will at the same time, through their action on the diahedrally inclined wings,

' tend to exert an upward tilting'pressure on lines converging inwardly and forwardly toward the center of the machine, thereby steadying the machine and opposin a certain resistance to both a fore and a t and a lateraltilting motion of the machine as a whole. The triangular front portion 19 of each plane section, on the contrary, in addition to having such transverse curvature, is also warped at an angle to the. remainder of the plane section in such a manner as to incline both upwardly and forwardly from thedotted line 21 to the front edge of said section and upwardly and inwardly from the'outer front corner of said section to the air gap or passage 18,-thedegree of inclination or slope gradually and progressively increasing, the ighest pomtso theslope of the warped portions of the plane sections being at the front edges of said plane sections and marginal edges of the air. gap. A convenient way beginning will the next to the outermost of warping each plane see-, tion is to incline the front longitudial bar one of the series, progressively to gradually increasing elevations above the horizontal lines of the upper ends of the companion rear stanchions 6. The portion 19 of the plane section in advance of the dotted line 21 will accordingly be raised for the greater portion of 1ts length above the general level of the portion 20 of the plane section in rear of said dotted line, and will accordingly incline at a greater angle to the general diabedral line of the plane section than said rear portion both upwardly and forwardly toward the front edge of said lane section and also upwardly and inward y toward the gap. The degree of helical warp or inclination of the ortions 19 thus reduced may be, and sent gui ing or conducting surfaces to cause a certain portion of the air impinging against the surfaces of the plane in the progress of the machine to flow diagonally inward and rearward across the lane and vent through the gap 18, whi e the remainder of the air passes across the surfaces of the plane from front to rear thereof. By the described construction of the several important results are obtained, as follows: The air striking against the front edge of the plane, instead of banking and forming an air cushion against such edge and causing the machine to tilt upward and rearwardly, whereby its fore and af tv balance is liable to be destroyed, is divided plane 1.

in its flow, a suificient portion for sustentation purposes passing from front to rear across the surface of the plane, while another portion passes directly to; the gap and discharges upwardly therethrough. Hence the fore and aft balance will be,preserved, while any excess amount of air, lia ble otherwise to accumulate beneath the plane and offer, a resistance to propulsion,

will be carried off. Through the described reactions of the air on the plane surfaces,.a 110 parachutic action will also be established, allowing excess pressure from gusts of large chine, the action of the air currents will tend; rather than otherwise, to maintain the established center of gravity, making ,volume .to-escape, while promoting buoy-- ancy, with an increased degree of safety n to a large extent, any such var1a-" As such pressures the machine self-balancing under all normal conditions.

It will thus be apparent that when the .machine is .in flight the planes will travel balancing tendencies ofcross currents ith-' in and beyond the lateral margins 0 the machine, while the currents of-air striking the correspondingly outwardly and -downwardly inclined sections of'the upper plane travel inwardly and rearwardly to balance and buoy the machine at the center, the di- I verse diagonal currents acting on the two planes serving to produce a state or condition of the surrounding atmosphere which prevents gusts or large volumes of app'roaching air from exerting their forces on the machines until such forces are calmed or diminished in intensity. Under all normal conditions, therefore, the machine will be self-balancing and maintain its poise or state of equilibrium in flight. If, from any cause, the motive power should fail and the forward motion of the machine be arrested,

. or the speed of motion be reduced to a point straight course.

below the required sustentation speed, the parachutic effect of action of the upper areoplane and the described action of the air Lupon the surfaces of both planes will cause the machine to simply rotate slowly on its axis and descend gradually to the ground,

thus insuring the safetyof the machine and its occupant under all ordinary conditions.

This follows from the peculiar construction I of the-upper plane and the fact that the rear win extensions and inclined dia onal air gui ing surfaces of said plane in e ect form propeller blades against which the air may strike to rotate the machine in one direc tion or the other,.according to the location of the propeller surface first acted upon when themachine is not positively driven forward at sustentation speed, but which neutralize each other when the machine is driven forward atsustentation speed to prevent deflection of the machine from a By inclining the sections of each plane on straight lines between the center of the plane and the lateral margins' of said sections, the air is prevented from.

rebounding, as is the .case in the use of curved surfaces, and formmg currents of air between the planes which by their un- -due reaction against each other and the compression surfaces of the planes, increasethe resistance to. the propulsion of the machine and inhibit a free air shedding action. Moreover, the air striking agamst the straight inclined surfaces slides more freely along the same, thus allowing the air to freely shift in the manner before described to secure the balancing pressures upon the surfaces of the planes:

In 'order, however, to enable than normal conditions, as'when the machine encounters very strong winds, 1 pro-- vide vertically movable leveling planes or Wings 22 pivoted to swing vertically on horizontal axes upon the rear longitudinal bars .3 of the plane 1 beyond the outer lateral extremities ofthe wings 1*. Each of these leveling planes or wings is provided with upwardly and downwardly extending lever arms 23 and 24 connected respectively with ropes or cords 25 and 26 extending over 'suitab e guides to a pivoted controlling leveri27 arranged adjacent to the aviators seat, said cords being connected to the lever on opposite sides of its pivotal point, whereby through reverse movements of the lever the plane may be swung up or down to difierent angular positions, so that by elevating one wing and depressing the other any tendency of the machine to tilt unduly may be overcome. For the purpose of laterally steering the machine a rudder plane 28 is mounted to swing on a vertical axis journaled on supporting bars 29' extending rearwardly from the'center of the machine frame and stayed by suitable braces 30. Extending oppositely from the shaft or axis ofthis rudder plane are lateral lever arms 31 and 31 to which ropes or cords 32 and 33 are res ecthe machinef to be balanced and controlled under other:

tively connected. .Theseropes or cords ead in practice to suitable operating means (not shown) by which the rudder may be turned to the right or left to laterally vary the line of flight. A rudder plane 34L is also provided to steer the machine vertically and is mounted to swing on a horizontal axis suported by bars 345 extending forwardly rom the center of the machine frame and vbraced by a connecting bar 35 and by guys 36 extending fromthe machine frame or in any other suitable manner. The shaft or.

axis of this rudderplane is provided with I upwardly and downwardly extending lever I arms 37 and.38 from which respectively lead ropes or cords 39 and 40 to suitable operatmg means (not shown) whereby said rudder plane may be turned to different angles to cause the machine to ascend anddescend, as

will be readily understood. While I have described and shown leveling planes and rudders of a certain stylefland arrangement,

I do not wish to be limited thereto, as any other suitablestyle and arrangement may be employed.

In the modifiedform 'of my invention shown in Figs. 10,11, and 12, the lower each having a concave and a convex side,

some;

aeroplane 2 is identical in construction with the upper aeroplane with the exception of the formation of the-air gap 18 and shortening of the wings 2, said lower plane being provided with warped portions 19 corresponding in form and arrangement with the warped portions 19 of .the upper plane. Owing to the outward and upward inclination of the plane sections 9 and 10, however, these warped portions 19 guide and conduct the currents of air outwardly and rearwardly toward the lateral mar ins of said plane sections instead of inwardly and rearwardly toward a central gap. As a re-. suit, a portion of the air striking. the lower plane sectionsfiows across the same from front to rear, while the remainder of the air flows diagonally outwardly along the front triangular portions of the plane sections toward the lateral marginsthereof. Hence the air while buoying the lower, plane throughout its length will act to a larger extent upon its marginal portions to transfer the main points of suspension thereto, while the reverse currents acting upon the upper plane will niake the main point of suspenslon thereof atthe center, thus equalizing and balancing the pressures to secure increased stability. This form of the invention is deemed preferable for comparatively heavy machines requiring the use of a maximum amount of pressure equalizing or balancing surfaces.

Having thus described my invention I claim 1. In a flying machine, the combination of a plurality of separate, independent, suitably spaced supporting planes of concavoconvex form in the direction of their length transversely. of the line of flight, and means uniting said supporting planes with their} concave sides toward each other.

2. In a flying machine, the combination of a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, suitably spaced supporting planes, each having a concave and a convex side, the upper supporting plane having an i-ntermediate air gap, and means uniting said supporting planes with their concave sides toi said supporting planes in spaced relation.

ward each other.

3. In a flying machine, the combination of a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, suitably spaced supporting planes, each having a concave and a convex side, the upper supporting plane having also an intermediate air gap and warped to present air guiding surfaces leading to said gap, and means uniting said supporting planes with their concave sides toward each other.

4:. In a flying machine, the combination of i .a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, suitably spaced supporting plangsfl t e upper supporting plane also having an intermediate fore and aft air-gap and warped to present inclined air guiding surface converging and increasing in area toward the gap, and means uniting said supporting planes with their concave sides toward each other.

5. In a flying machine, the combination of a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, suitably spaced supporting planes, each having a concave and a convex side, the upper supporting plane also having an intermediate fore and aft air gap and warped to present inclined air guiding surfaces arranged on opposite sides of said gap and converging and increasing in area from the lateral margins of said supporting plane toward the .gap, and means uniting said supporting planes with their concave sides toward each other.

6. In a flying machine, the combination of a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, suitably spaced supporting planes, each having a concave side and a convex side, the lower supporting plane being continuous between its lateral margins and the upper supporting surface being provided witha central air gap and warped to present air guiding surfaces on opposite sides of and leading to said gap, and means uniting said supporting planes with their concave sides toward each other.

7. In a flying machine, a plurality of separate, 1 independent, spaced supporting planes, each having a concave and a convex side, the lower supporting plane being continuous from end to end and the upper supporting plane transversely divided by an an gap lnterinediate .its ends, and means uniting said supporting planes with their concave sides toward each other.

8. In a flying machine, a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, supporting planes, transverse portions inclining at a suitable angle outwardly and upwardly from its center and the upper supportingplane having transverse portions inclining at a suitable angle outwardly and downwardly from its center, and means connecting and holding 9. In-a flying machine, a plurality of separate, independent, superposed supporting planes, the lower supporting plane having transverse portions inclining upwardly and outwardly at'a suitable angle from its center and the upper supporting plane having transverse portions inclining outwardly and downwardly at asuitable angle from its center and having a central transverse air gap,

and means connecting and holding said supporting planes in spaced relation.

10. In a flying machine, a plurality of separate, independent, superposed, support ing planes, the lower supporting plane having transverse portions inclining upwardly superposed, suitably the lower supporting plane having and outwardly at a suitable angle from its center and the upper supporting plane having transverse portions inclining outwardly and downwardly at a suitable angle from its center and having acentral fore and aft air gap and warped portlons presenting separate, independent, superposed, supporting planes, the lower supporting plane having transverse portions incliningupwardly and outwardly at a suitable angle from its center and the upper supporting plane having transverse portions inclining outwardly and downwardly at a suitable angle from its center and having a central fore and aft air gap and warped portions presenting inclined air guiding surfaces converging and increasing in area toward said gap, and means connecting and holding said supporting planes in spaced relation.

12. In a flying machine, a plurality of separate, independent, superposed suitably spaced supporting planes, the upper supporting plane having its ends inclining at an angle outwardly and downwardly and the lower supporting plane having its ends inclining at a corresponding angle out wardly and upwardly, said upper supporting plane being provided with a central fore and aft air gap and warped portions forming inclined air guiding portions on opposite sides of and leading to the gap, and

means connecting and holding said supporting planes in spaced relation.

13. In a flying machine, a lower plane having its transverse portions inclining outwardly and upwardly at an obtuse angle, an upper plane separate from and independent of said lower plane and having. its transverse portions inclining outwardly and downwardly ata corresponding angle, and means connecting and holding said planes in spaced relation. r

14. In a flying machine, a lower plane having its transverse portions inclining outwardly and upwardly at an of said lower plane and having its transverse portions inclining outwardl downwardly at a corresponding ang e, said transverse portions being spaced at their proximal edges by an intervening air gap, and means connecting and holding said planes in spaced relation.

15. In a, flying machine, a lower plane having its transverse portions inclining upwardly and outwardly at an obtuse angle, an upper plane having its transverse portions spaced by a central air gap and indining downwardly and outwardly at a corresponding angle, said transverse porobtuse angle, an .upper plane separate from and independent and and means connecting and holding said planes in spaced relation.

16. In a flying machine, an aeroplane of concavo-convex form both longitudinally and transversely, and having a fore and aft air gap at the center thereof.

17. In a flying machine, anaeroplane having its transverse portions inclined downwardly and outwardly at an obtuse angle and spaced at their proximal ends by an air gap, said transverse portions being warped to provide inclined air guiding surfaces leading inwardly and rearwardly to said gap.

18. In a. flying machine, an aeroplane having its transverse portions inclined down wardly and outwardly at an obtuse angle and spaced at their proximal ends by an air gap, said transverse port-ions being warped to provide air guiding surfaces progress ively increasing in transverse area and inclined upwardly, inwardly and rearwardly from their front corners to the sides of the 19. In a flying machine, an aeroplane of oblong rectangular outline and concavo-convex form both longitudinally and transversely, and @provided with a. central fore and aft air gap separating it into count-erpart sections, each of said sections being warped to provide an inclined triangular air guiding surface extending diagonally from its front corner to the gap.

20. An aeroplane concavo-convexly curved in cross-section and having'a fore and aft air gap, said plane having its transverse portions on opposite sides of the gap warped to provide inclined air guiding surfaces converging inwardly and rearwardly toward the gap.

21. A flying machine embodying a plane having supporting portions relatively inclined downwardly and outwardly and spaced attheir adjacent edges by an air gap, said supporting portions being of a contour to conduct portions of the air across the plane and portions toward the gap.

22. A flying machine embodying a lower plane having surfaces for directing currents of air rearwardly and toward the lateral margins thereof, and an upper plane having surfaces for directing currents of air rearwardly across the same and toward'the' permitting escenter thereof and means for cape of the air at the. latter point.

23. An aeroplane provided with a central air gap and surfaces for conducting currents of air inwardly and rearwardly on converging lines from the front portions of the plane to the gap.

.24. An aeroplane having a central fore. and aft air gap and having its portions on opposite sides of the gap provided with con ducting surfaces for. guiding the air inwardly and rearwardly to the gap. p

25. An aeroplane provided with a central fore and aft air gap and havinguts portions on opposite sides of the gap inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the gap on diagonal lines extending from the front corner portions of the plane to the. rear corners of the gap.

- and aft air gap and having its sections on air gap,

op osite sides of the gap inclined u wardly an d inwardly toward the gap on iagonal lines extending from the front corners of the plane to the rear corners of the gap.

28. An aeroplane having a central fore and aft air gap, dividing the plane into counterpart sections on opposite sides of the ap, each section being provided with surfaces for conducting portions of the air respectively across the plane and diagonally to the gap. J I

- 29. An aeroplane provided with an a r gap and with surfaces for conducting portions of the air respectively across'the p ane and on inwardly and'rearwardly converging lines to the gap. j

' 30. An aeroplane provided with a central fore and aft air gap and havingconducting surfaces leadingto the gap, the rear edge of the plane being free to vibrate; for the ready escape of air.

31. An aeroplane having a fore and aft the sections of the plane on opposite sides of the gap having air conducting surfaces leading thereto and being provided with'rearwardly projecting wings or extenrear ed es.

132. A flying machine embo ying a lower I v plane inclined outwardly and upwardly margins thereof, and an u from its center to its lateral margins, and a reversely inclined upper plane, said upper plane being provided with a central airgap and surfaces forconducting portions of the air across said plane and portions toward the gap.

33. A flying machine embodying a lower plane having surfaces for directing currents of air rearwardly and toward the lateral per plane having a central air gap and sur aces for conducting currents of air across the plane and inwardly and rearwardly to the gap.

34:. In a flying machine, a lower plane having its transverse portions inclining outwardly and upwardly at an obtuse angle,

and an, upper plane having its transverse portions inclining outwardly and downwardly at a corresponding angle, said upper plane being provided with an air gap be tween the proximal edges of its said transverse portions,iand the latter being warped to provide guiding surfaces for leading portions of the air towardsaid gap.

35. In a flying machine, a lower plane having its transverse portions diahedrally inclined outwardly and upwardly, an upper plane separate from and independent of said lower plane and having its transverseportions correspondingly inclined outwardly and downwardly, and means connecting and holding said planesin spaced relation.

36.111 a flying machine, a lower plane having its transverse portions diahedrally inclined outwardly and upwardly, an upper plane separate from and independent of said lowerplane and having its transverse portions correspondingly inclined outwardly and downwardly, and spaced at their proximal edges by an air gap, and means connecting and hplding said planes in spaced relation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM W. CHRISTMAS. Witnesses:

B. MAUS, J. H. CRAWFORD. 

